(CNN)–One of Pope Francis’ dearest friends is none other than a Jewish Rabbi.

And Rabbi Abahram Skorka, who has known Pope Francis for 15 years, since he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, has a concise description of what makes Francis’ papacy different from his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger.

Pope Francis “lives with his mind in heaven and with his feet on Earth,” Rabbi Skorka told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday. “And Ratzinger lived totally in heaven.”

Abraham Skorka, a prominent Argentine rabbi, has had frank and open conversations with Pope Francis since he was Cardinal Bergoglio of Buenos Aires. Those discussions are the topic of a book written by both, “On Heaven and Earth.”

soundoff(23 Responses)

"Pope Francis lives with mind in heaven and feet on earth, says Rabbi friend" And his nose in Marx, apparently...

November 26, 2013 at 12:52 pm |

Felix Sinclair

It's great that this man infuriates hypocrites by wanting to be kind to others.

November 15, 2013 at 11:25 pm |

EX Catholic

Idolatry is a very, very grave and serious SIN.

November 12, 2013 at 10:25 pm |

Atheism is not healthy for children and other living things

Prayer changes things ,

November 11, 2013 at 11:02 am |

Salero21

It is also stupidity in Full bloom in any and all Seasons.

November 11, 2013 at 2:48 pm |

EX Catholic

Nothing personal against the man. He certainly has a peoples gift but that's not going to take him to Heaven. He still is an Idolater and the leader of the most idolatrous and Heretical Politico-religious organization in the world. Idolatry is a very grave and serious SIN. It is not religion Idolatry is a SIN

When you assume the name Francis, you gotta be Francis indeed...That's what this Pope has shown us so far.

November 8, 2013 at 7:59 am |

Richard Cranium

it is impossible. i am a militant atheist. this guy cannot be any good, period.

November 7, 2013 at 2:46 pm |

cufi

The book sounds like a great read. What we can agree on: We may differ in our doctrines but we are united in the spirit.

November 7, 2013 at 2:32 pm |

bostontola

"during World War II, and Jews’ questioning of whether Pope Pius XII could have done more to stem the atrocity."

The cowardice exhibited by the RCC in WWII went well beyond abandoning Jews, they abandoned the Spanish Catholics when Hitler bombed Guernica. The Spanish were one of the main defenders of the Church for centuries, but the Vatican trembled in front of Hitler and abandoned them. This gap in conviction will stain the RCC for a long time.

But this pope is just what they needed. He will help bring numbers up in Africa and Asia, the biggest growth markets in the world. Good selection.

November 7, 2013 at 1:18 pm |

Reality # 2

Francis I, good man, flawed theology. Details upon written request.

November 7, 2013 at 12:17 pm |

Happy Birthday to Rev. Graham

This pope is a kind man.
🙂

November 7, 2013 at 11:46 am |

rhaj

I am atheist. I'd say (again), sure, the pope shows a very good, warm and very likeable personality. But so is Caillou, that little kid from that educational Canadian children's television series, when he thought he is with his imaginary friend Georges.

If it takes a Georges, or a Religion, to have a"very good, warm and very likeable personality"... so, be it. I am (always) accomodating.

November 7, 2013 at 11:31 am |

Gotcha

No, Caillou is a whiny brat whose parents give into constantly. He isn't likable at all. You're doing Francis a disservice by comparing him to Caillou.

November 7, 2013 at 12:20 pm |

rhaj

Agreed.
But when Caillou is thinking of Georges, he is like... in heaven. Dreamy.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.